A Presidency in Context

Giorgi Margvelashvili served as the fourth President of Georgia from November 17, 2013 to December 16, 2018. His single term unfolded during a turbulent period in Eurasian geopolitics — marked by the conflict in Ukraine, shifting Russian regional policy, and Georgia's deepening engagement with European institutions. The following timeline records the key milestones of this defining era in modern Georgian history.

2013

  • October 27: Margvelashvili wins the presidential election with approximately 62% of the vote in a first-round victory.
  • November 17: Inauguration ceremony held at Telavi Fortress, Kakheti. Margvelashvili takes the presidential oath and delivers his inaugural address.
  • November–December: Initial diplomatic meetings with EU and NATO partners; appointment of key advisers and diplomatic missions begins.

2014

  • February–March: Crisis in Ukraine deepens; Russia annexes Crimea. Georgia formally expresses solidarity with Ukraine's territorial integrity.
  • June 27: Georgia signs the Association Agreement with the European Union in Brussels, alongside Moldova and Ukraine.
  • July: Georgian Parliament ratifies the EU Association Agreement. DCFTA provisional application begins in September.
  • September: Margvelashvili attends the NATO Wales Summit; Georgia receives the Substantial NATO Package (SNP).

2015

  • Throughout the year: Continued borderization activities along South Ossetia occupation line; Margvelashvili raises concerns in bilateral and multilateral forums.
  • September: Address to the UN General Assembly draws parallels between Georgia's 2008 experience and the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
  • December: Georgia participates in the Geneva International Discussions as co-chair format continues to address post-war humanitarian issues.

2016

  • March: The EU–Georgia Visa Liberalization Action Plan reaches key benchmarks; final steps toward visa-free regime begin.
  • October: Parliamentary elections held; Georgian Dream retains parliamentary majority. Margvelashvili calls for continued democratic consolidation.
  • Throughout the year: Constitutional reform commission begins deliberations on further amendments to Georgia's system of governance.

2017

  • March 28: Visa-free travel for Georgian citizens to the Schengen Area enters into force — a landmark in EU–Georgia relations.
  • October: New constitutional amendments adopted by Parliament, including transition to a fully proportional electoral system and abolition of direct presidential elections from 2024. Margvelashvili expresses mixed views on the reform process.
  • NATO Tbilisi Summit Preparatory Events: Georgia hosts senior NATO officials; integration dialogue intensifies.

2018

  • Throughout the year: Presidential term approaches its constitutional end. Margvelashvili participates in final international engagements as president.
  • October 28: Presidential election held; per constitutional amendments, this marks the last direct presidential election in Georgia.
  • December 16: Salome Zourabichvili is inaugurated as the fifth President of Georgia. Margvelashvili completes his term, the first Georgian president to serve a constitutionally mandated single term without seeking re-election or extension.

Enduring Legacy

The Margvelashvili presidency is historically notable for consolidating Georgia's Euro-Atlantic trajectory, deepening institutional ties with the European Union, and maintaining a consistent commitment to constitutional governance during a period of significant domestic and regional pressures. His term closed with the peaceful transfer of power to a successor — continuing the democratic precedent set at the outset of his presidency in 2013.